From Interpersonal Experiences to Proximal Minority Processes and Mental Health: A Characterization of Latent Socio-Evolutionary Profiles in Portuguese Sexual Minoritized Individuals
Seabra, Daniel Ribeiro da Silva, Diana Gato, Jorge Petrocchi, Nicola
do Céu Salvador, Maria
Seabra, Daniel
Ribeiro da Silva, Diana
Gato, Jorge
do Céu Salvador, Maria
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Abstract
Objective: Sexual minorities (SMs) include monosexual, bi + individuals, and a spectrum of asexual sexual orientations. They encounter challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. Integrative models incorporate several different factors to provide an explanation for mental health issues. These factors include stigma, evolutionary dimensions, distal and proximal processes, and inter- and intrapersonal experiences over time. This study aimed to identify profiles among Portuguese SM individuals by examining stigma and evolutionary interpersonal distal processes and characterizing these profiles through analyzing proximal processes, mental health indicators, and sociodemographic variables. Methods: The sample consisted of 409 Portuguese SM adults. The identification of profiles was conducted through a latent profile analysis, which employed self-report measures of early memories of warmth and safeness, early traumatic shame experiences, social support, and homophobic discrimination. The following variables were assessed for the characterization of each profile: age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, residence area, employment, religiosity, stigma anticipation, internalized stigma, rejection sensitivity, self-criticism, shame, concealment of sexual orientation, life satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms. Results: The four-profile model demonstrated the optimal fit, designated as “traumatized,” “marginalized,” “resilient,” and “secure.” The characterization of these profiles illuminated the non-straightforward and nuanced influence of interpersonal experiences on mental health. The paper concludes with a discussion of the clinical implications and limitations of the findings. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of addressing stigma, social, and evolutionary dimensions across inter- and intrapersonal experiences in the assessment and case formulation with SM individuals. The interventions should adopt an affirmative and contextual approach considering general and SM-specific cognitions, emotions, behaviors, and processes.
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Date
2025
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Research Projects
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Keywords
Sexual minority (SM) individuals, Mental health, Latent profiles, Stigma approach, Evolutionary approach
Citation
Seabra, Daniel, Diana Ribeiro da Silva, Jorge Gato, Nicola Petrocchi, and Maria do Céu Salvador. “From Interpersonal Experiences to Proximal Minority Processes and Mental Health: A Characterization of Latent Socio-Evolutionary Profiles in Portuguese Sexual Minoritized Individuals.” International Journal of Sexual Health 0 (0): 1–27. 2025.